Hundreds of employees at Melbourne's Crown casino are poised to stage a dramatic strike in the heart of New Year's Eve celebrations. The protected industrial action, scheduled from 10pm until 2am, is a protest against a proposed enterprise agreement that would see new hires paid significantly less than existing staff for identical roles.
The Heart of the Dispute: A Two-Tier Pay System
The strike action follows months of failed negotiations and a decisive vote by workers. An overwhelming 89% of eligible Crown Melbourne staff rejected the company's latest pay proposal. The core issue is a planned two-tier wage structure. Under the rejected deal, new employees starting after July 1 next year would be paid $28.84 per hour, compared to the current rate of $34.22 for existing workers in the same positions.
Andrew Jones, the United Workers Union's casinos director, condemned the proposal. "The system locks in pay cuts of between $10,600 and $32,000 a year for workers doing the same work as their Crown colleagues," Jones stated. He emphasised that this poses a direct threat to job security for all employees and expressed frustration that the company had not heeded the workforce's clear rejection.
Impact on New Year's Eve and Beyond
The timing of the strike is designed to maximise impact. Staff walking out include bar attendants, table game dealers (croupiers), and security personnel—roles critical to the casino's operations on one of its busiest nights. Jones warned that guests should expect "significant delays across the casino service" during the four-hour walkout.
Crown Melbourne has responded with disappointment. A spokesperson defended the company's position, stating, "Crown Melbourne team members earn an average of around 40% above industry standards and as high as 60% above award base rates for some roles." They added that the proposed rates would still increase and claimed the strike would most hurt "Victorian families and children" hoping to enjoy a free night out.
Further industrial action is already planned, with a second stoppage set for Thursday between 10am and 2pm. Jones placed the responsibility for resolving the dispute squarely on management: "The ball is firmly in Crown’s court. If the company comes back to the table with a fair proposal, this dispute does not need to escalate."
What Happens Next?
While the immediate focus is on the New Year's Eve disruption, negotiations are set to continue into the new year. Crown has confirmed the next meeting with the union will take place in January. The outcome will determine whether further strikes, beyond those already announced, will go ahead in the coming weeks.
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